It’s not surprising or even all that common, but being on a Spokane Transit Authority (STA) bus doesn’t necessarily mean you won’t be in an accident. Worse yet, as a passenger on one of these buses or driving your own car when one hits you is often going to leave you dealing with some damage in one form or another.
According to a story from KHQ, an STA bus collided with a parked car in downtown Spokane on the afternoon of Thursday, January 17, 2024. Per KHQ, an STA employee reported that the bus was turning onto Riverside Avenue and South Cedar Street when it struck the parked car. While there were no injuries to passengers or anyone else, the bus did damage to the parked car. The extent of the damage is currently unknown, but STA is investigating the crash. The bus was then pulled away from the scene by a tow truck.
Who is Responsible for an STA Bus Accident?
Under Washington law, STA buses are held to the same legal standard as any other vehicle in terms of being liable for accidents. Essentially, like any other vehicle, if an STA bus causes an accident due to negligence, they and the company are liable for the damages. As a refresher, there are four elements of negligence:
- A duty of care by the bus driver or STA to keep others safe
- Breach of that duty
- There being an injury or damage
- Proving that the bus company breached its duty and this caused the injury and damages (also known as “proximate cause”)
With the negligence element in play, there are a number of different scenarios where the STA could be held liable for your damages. More importantly, this could fall on a number of parties involved, like:
- The bus driver
- The STA and city or county government
- Maintenance crews
- Bus passengers
- Other drivers
Obviously, this depends on the circumstances of the accident. What’s important for you, as an injury victim, is to take steps to protect yourself. If you’re on the bus itself or driving your own car, get medical care for your injuries right away. Also, try to take pictures or gather some evidence on your own to build a timeline of what happened. This can be crucial if you want to take legal action later on.
Contact CCD Law After a Bus Accident in Spokane
When you get hurt in an accident with an STA bus, whether you’re a passenger or driver, it’s important to understand your options. Since 1948, our team of Spokane bus accident lawyers at CCD Law have been there to help injury victims through the legal process. We can explain your rights, discuss your options, and show you how you could be able to recover damages in a claim, which includes things like your:
- Medical expenses
- Repair or replacement costs of your vehicle
- Lost income
- Emotional distress
Don’t wait. If this has happened to you or someone you know and you want to get the recovery process started, contact us today to set up a free consultation.